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By Sanford J. Douglas

This publication describes a study by the Federal Bureau of Mines of devices and methods used for testing and splicing 4,160-volt and 440-volt cables and for providing ground-fault protection for 440-volt circuits, as developed and used by the electrical staff of the Tecumseh coal mine, an open-pit operation at Boonville, Ind. The testing and ground-fault devices described should find ready application in other open-pit mines, and, with suitable modifications for voltages involved, in underground mining. The devices and testing methods are based on sound engineering principles and are time-tested and economically feasible, Four devices are used: A high-voltage tester, and a low-voltage high- current tester, both for testing 4,160-volt cables; a tester for 440-volt cables; and, electronic ground-fault protective device for 440-volt cable circuits. All the cable testers and the grounding device were designed and built at the mine from standard parts. They are inexpensive, dependable, and job tested, An attempt has been made here to describe them in enough detail so that interested persons can assemble duplicate units.

Jan 1, 1960

By Frank B. Fulkerson

A study was made of scrap iron and steel in the South Central States in order to determine trends in processing, shipment, and consumption of this important commodity. These data were derived in part from statistical sources and in part by visits to scrap yards and steel mills. Trends in the industry were reviewed. Dealers in 1963 supplied 1.8 million tons of iron and steel scrap to steel mills and foundries in the south-central area, compared with 2.1 million tons in 1955. Most of the scrap was processed and shipped within 200 to 300 miles of consuming centers. Exports provide a principal outlet for dealers along the gulf coast. Most of the scrap that fills these orders is loaded onto freight cars at yards in Texas and Louisiana and -is shipped to ports for direct transfer from railroad car to ship. The tonnage exported varies greatly from year to year. The largest scrap operations are in or near large cities which are heavy scrap generating areas, steel mill sites, or port cities for export of scrap. A tentative analysis indicates that the short-run supply of prepared scrap is inelastic to price changes; therefore, buyers probably arc in a strong bargaining position at times of declining demand. One technological development in the iron and steel scrap industry is the use of large presses which can take complete automobiles with frames, wheels, springs, and other heavy parts still intact and reduce them to bundles. At Houston, Tex., and Kansas City, Mo., shredding plants are in operation that reduce car bodies and other light scrap into flat pieces 4 to 6 inches in size.

Jan 1, 1966

By BUREAU OF MINES

Mercury has been used by mankind since prehistoric times. It has been, and is now, widely used in industry and medicine and has unique properties which make direct substitution difficult or impossible. At present its prin- cipal uses are for electrical apparatus, control instruments, electrolytic soda preparation, mildew-proofing paints, pesticides, and medical and dental preparations. Deposits of mercury are less common than those of other base and precious metals, but some of the deposits are very large and have been ample to meet the world's past demands. The price of mercury has had many sharp fluctua- tions, but in general, the limited number of producers has resulted in a more stable price structure than that of many other commodities. The United States has been one of the main producers of mercury, and from 1850 to 1961 produced 3,247,704 flasks. Yearly production since World War II has varied from 4,535 to 38,067 flasks. An estimate of domestic resources of mercury producible at various price ranges was prepared for each mercury mine by combining specific knowledge of mercury mineralization with estimates of potential, based on geologic informa- tion and past production history. The sum of the individual estimates for each price range is shown in a table. A parallel estimate of nationwide production potential was made from a study of past price and production relationships. These were analyzed by plotting yearly production figures against the previous year's price, expressed in dollars of constant purchasing power. An equation was fitted to the data by mathematical means and was used to extend the curve into areas of higher than historic prices. Potential production rates at various price levels were taken from this graph. The estimated yearly production rates were used to make an estimate of total potential based on the premise that produc- tion rates and reserves have a proportionate relationship.

Jul 1, 1964

By Forrest T. Moyer

INJURY experience and related employment information are presented in the chapter for the coal-mining, coking, oil and gas, peat, and native asphalt industries in the United States for 1964. No attempt has been made to combine these data and present injury-frequency rates reflecting the mineral-fuel industries because the hazards of the separate industries are not comparable. All rates in the text are calculated separately on data before rounding, hence component rates may not add to the total rates shown in the tables. Tabulations showing the trend of injuries and employment for all mineral industries are presented in Volume III. COAL Injury experience of the coal mining industry was improved in 1964, as measured by the declines of 1 and 14 percent, respectively, in the frequency and severity rates. Although the total number of injuries increased in 1964, a slightly greater proportional increase in man-hours worked caused the frequency rate to drop to 44.65 per million man-hours. The injury-severity rate in 1964 was 7,832 days lost per million man-hours of exposure. Employment and injury data for 1964 are based on final data for anthracite mines and preliminary data for bituminous coal and lignite mines. Fatality experience improved significantly with a record low number of 240 deaths in 1964. This total was 44 less than in 1963. The Nation's coal mines during 1964 were free of major disasters (a single accident resulting in the death of five men or more) for the first time since 1956. The

Jan 1, 1965

By G. W. Jones

During the course of an investigation by the Bureau of Mines into the causes, behavior, and control of anthracite-mine fires, it was observed that the carbon monoxide disappeared from a sealed fire area much more rapidly than could be explained on the basis of leakage of gases. Two suggestions were offered for this high rate of disappearance: (1) That the carbon monoxide, was oxidized at temperatures below 150° C. by either the anthracite or its ash (tests on many anthracites have shown that at temperatures above 150° C. carbon monoxide is liberated in the oxidation products when air is passed through it); (2) that the carbon monoxide was oxidized by micro-organisms present in the sealed area.

Jan 1, 1939

By Ned Baker

Details are given of a fuel-induction system for a hydrogen, fueled engine. The induction system was designed to preclude backfire otherwise common in hydrogen fueled engines. System features and test data are presented and discussed in the context of the requirements peculiar to use in an underground mine environment. The fuel induction-system when tested in conjunction with a modified Caterpillar 3304 engine provided backfire free engine operation and satisfactory engine performance.

Jan 1, 1982

By A. G. Starliper

The Bureau of Mines made laboratory investigations to determine the feasibility of utilizing fine tungsten wires to reinforce a number of nonferrous metals and alloys and a superalloy, S-8l6. The composites of tungsten filament and metals were chosen to attain elevated temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Oriented clean or precoated tungsten wires were incorporated with the other metals by extrusion, swaging, and infiltration casting. Although widely varying characteristics were found in the composites, none were considered satisfactory for high-temperature use, chiefly because of reactions between the matrix metal-tungsten surface. Diffusion, solution, and chemical reactions between matrix and tungsten wires were sufficiently slow for some combinations, such as 15 v/o 8-816, to exhibit increased high-temperature strength for a limited time. A few metals failed to wet or bond to the tungsten surfaces, while a few responded after precoating with a third metal.

Jan 1, 1968

By D. R. Flinn

A newly developed chemical conditioning technique, which greatly simplifies the preparation of plating baths for the electrodeposition of titanium diboride (TiB2) coatings, is described in this report. The new plating technique was used to prepare samples of titanium diboride (TiB2) coatings on three types of substrate materials. These samples were then evaluated in both low- and high-speed wear-test programs to determine the wear resistance, microhardness, and adhesion of the coatings. In general, it was found that the wear resistance of the coatings is independent of substrate. Scanning electron micrographs have shown that the coating wear surfaces are very smooth, suggesting slow and continuous removal of the coating during the wear test (that is, adhesive wear). Adhesion between the coating and all substrates was excellent. Microhardness results show that the TiB2 coating is harder than alumina, with a hardness value exceeding 5,000 kg/mm2 measured in one test. The results of the wear tests show that TiB2 coatings have relatively poor wear resistance compared with alumina in low-speed unlubricated sliding environments, but exhibit wear properties comparable with alumina in high-speed unlubricated sliding environments.

Jan 1, 1981

By Thomas Jenning, C. M. Keithly

"INTRODUCTION This report is one of a series. 4. 5. 6/ concerned with presenting historical development, and operating data on secondary-recovery projects in various States to stimulate interest in sound secondary-recovery programs. Preceding reports in this series have dealt exclusively with descriptions of and results obtained by water flooding in three states, but no recent publication of comparable purpose describes gas-injection 7/ practices. The authors intend to present material relevant to the development and operation of gas-injection projects in Illinois, with particular emphasis on those producing from oil-bearing horizons that had been depleted to a point near the economic limit of operation by past oil-recovery methods.Most operators realize that the energy expended on the movement of fluids through gas-expansion- or gas-cap-type oil reservoirs to producing wells must be supplemented to attain maximum recovery of the oil present. Under favorable conditions, many operators choose to maintain oil-propulsive forces at or near their original magnitude by injecting extraneous fluids into a reservoir or recycling produced fluids early in the life of a field. More common, and less desirable, is the practice of replenishing these forces after primary producing methods become unprofitable. The lattes practice has been adopted in many stripper fields in Illinois and most of the oil-producing States during the last 40 years, but other old oil fields, and oil properties within those fields which were partly exploited by secondary--recovery methods, also may offer favorable opportunity for further development. To encourage and, aid operators in the development of gas-injection projects in the old oil fields of the United States, four projects have been described in detail in this report."

Nov 1, 1944

By Sidney Katell

This cost bibliography, covering the period from January through December 1960, is a continuation of the series which began with the publication of Information Circular 7516 in October 1949. It is also the second report in the series to be prepared as a cooperative effort by the Bureau of Mines and the American Association of Cost Engineers. The cooperative agreement between the two groups provides for the publication of an annual bibliography with the work load involved in the preparation shared equally. The abstracted articles, concerned with all facets of cost engineering in the field of petroleum and chemical plants and related facilities, came from the following sources: 1. Bureau of Mines Information Circulars. 2. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations. 3. Chemical Engineering. 4. Chemical Engineering Progress. 5. Chemical Week. 6. Coal Age. 7. Coal. Utilization. 8. Cost Engineering. 9. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 10. Nucleonics. 11. Oil and Gas Journal. 12. Petroleum Engineering. 13. Petroleum Refiner. 14. World Oil.

Jan 1, 1961

By John L. Ellenberger, Gabriel S. Esterhuizen

Observations of pillar conditions in limestone mines showed that the presence of weak bands in the limestone can result in pillar damage at stresses that are lower than one would otherwise expect. The objective of this National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study was to investigate the mechanism of failure caused by the presence of weak bands by using a series of numerical models based on realistic physical properties. The effect of the weak bands on pillar strength was also investigated by developing a series of pillar models with different width-to-height ratios and determining their strength by simulating a servo-controlled loading condition. The material properties of the bands and the limestone were varied and their effects on pillar strength were determined. Model results demonstrated failure development similar to the pillars observed in the field. The weak bands were seen to develop tensile stresses in the limestone as they extrude under increasing stress. The limestone fails in tension at a much lower stress than its expected uniaxial compressive strength. The results showed the load bearing capacity of the pillars can be reduced significantly by the presence of multiple thin weak bands. The degree of strength reduction is largely dependent on the compressive strength, the frictional resistance and the thickness of the weak bands. Single weak bands do not affect pillars as severely as multiple bands. However, the model results show that a single thick weak band, which comprises more than about 2 percent of the pillar height, can cause a significant reduction in pillar strength. The weakening effect of the bands become less severe as the pillar width-to-height ratio is increased. Field observation of spalling and failure associated with weak bands in limestone pillars show that the failure mechanism in the models resembles the observed failure. The model results provide insight into the important factors affecting pillar strength in the presence of weak banded materials.

By C. Daniel Kealy

Dissolved and suspended solids are present in the free water of tailings ponds. This Bureau of Mines study was designed to identify the influences of the slime zone in preventing these solids from reaching the environment outside the tailings pond. The finite-element method was used to determine the rate of discharge of subsurface water from the Van Stone tailings pond in northern Washington. The slime zone was sampled and tested for the first time, and results were interpreted and incorporated into the mathematical model. Computer results were verified by installing and monitoring piezometers in the field and by a simulated (16- by 1/2- by 3 foot) laboratory model. Output from the numerical model defined critical seepage zones and revealed that proper pond design and maintenance can reduce pond seepage losses to a minimum. Minimization of seepage requires maintaining the pond water level over the slime zone. Sufficient physical, chemical, and limnological data were collected and analyzed to conclude that the only realistic reflection of synergistic effects is obtained by study of the indigenous biota in combination with quantitative chemical and physical data. Proper planning and management of the milling and waste disposal operations are the key to minimal pollution.

Jan 1, 1974

By John C. Machisak

THIS PUBLICATION presents injury experience and employment data for the nonmetal mining industry in the United States for 1960. Data for the mines and mills are presented separately, as shown in the list of tables. The Bureau of Mines is authorized to send questionnaires to the nonmetal mining industry for their voluntary submission of injury and employment data. As the information submitted contributes largely to the promotion of safety in the industry, special effort has been made to ma e these questionnaires as complete as possible.

Jan 1, 1963

By Philip E. Niebuhr

A procedure, which can be performed in the field by nonanalytical personnel, is given for sensitive spot tests for detecting tellurium or selenium. The expressed need of a field test for detecting small amounts of tellurium, which may be accompanied by relatively large amounts of selenium, has led to the development of this method. Tellurium search has been impeded by the lack of a satisfactory test from the standpoint of sensitivity and specificity. A quantitative laboratory method exists, but it is expensive and relatively laborious. Several other qualitative tests are known, but they require unstable solutions, which must be freshly prepared for use, and a greater variety of laboratory equipment. The particular advantages of the test described are its simplicity and the stability of the reagents required, there-fore is is well adapted for field use. Also, this test was found to be of practical use in the analytical laboratory when screening samples, thereby reducing analytical costs. The roughly quantitative interpretation of the results can save time by indicating the approximate size of the sample taken for a quantitative determination.

Jan 1, 1962

By S. J. Broderick

[Xuge d-mp heap co:lt:.ini9: tilcu?:na3s of tons of cad ~eP~se 2r3 a failiar sight in coal-mininc regior@:. T5ey reprecei~t considergole economic 1083, are very l.u.,si~hC,ly, ?:ld t?ke un m-lch vaL-x3le qace. Cor.sequentl;r thelr remcval i~ geatlyr dezir36, ax2 my ret-sn t?-at c,m be obtained would be er;pecic.llj .a~elconre&apos; t.7 the cod ir.S..r; kry. T?.e vaste rk.t~ri..tl conpl-ises large pieces of slr.t.e, hi~h-2s&apos;. bore c~al., luqs cf cle:., ,ad finer refuse conin,= fro3 the vrtskery, Tilt 1:zshcr:r refilsn contnins sone yood coal. Rig coal and the &apos;better p~lcs of bore ere the zat~rla2.s ~15:;~itiered in this in- vest ig:?.tion. 7% Il~avter frnctions of the w~~sherjr ref;lw aizd tts large 2ieces of slcte ?,".:I rgck contilin 1it:lei ccai-i-bcna.c~o~s caterial ad are vir- tu<dly worthiess nc, rz:. ::atcrin!. for .*=irin,= zct,iv?*teb cCvb~n. 13 the 3irniingh.m district, i13br.12, a-c.ju",P p?rcccn",f the c3sl r?.ir?ed is washed, ,md in tkis c?i.;trict nlz:~c rcfilce ecc;:?:lletcs ~t the r%tg of 1 to 2 million .! tons 2 yew.]

Jan 1, 1941

By J. T. McLendon

As part of its research project in developing improved refractory materials for metallurgical applications, the Federal Bureau of Mines obtained hot modulus of rupture data at 1,500°,1,550°, and 1,600° C on samples of 13 refractory periclase materials produced from seawater, lake brines, and natural magnesite. The periclase samples also were characterized to establish chemical and mineralogical composition and microstructure. The results indicated that a high MgO content does not necessarily assure good hot strength and that an optimum and varying CaO-Si02 ratio exists for each individual periclase sample.

Jan 1, 1979

By Walter D. Holland

This is one of a series of instruction guides developed to help instructors present health and safety training courses to workers in the metal and nonmetal mining industry. This course is intended for training those, usually the safety officers, who perform surveys for inhalation contaminants in above ground work areas. The handbook entitled ?Handbook for Surveys of Inhalation Contaminants in Above Ground Metal and Nonmetal Mining and Processing Work Areas? is used as a manual for the course and as a prime reference when performing the actual surveys or interpreting the sampling results. There are six experiments for the students to perform during the course to familiarize them with the sampling devices routinely used during the surveys.

Jan 1, 2011

By F. G. Scott

This document is a proposed program plan for mining environmental research to be conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in support of industrial oil shale mining and processing. This program plan is one of three research alternatives being considered by the Bureau, each based on a different level of anticipated funding. This report documents the low funding level program plan.

Jan 1, 1980

By Northcutt Ely

This volume summarizes mining and petroleum legislation in 22 jurisdictions of the Near East and South Asia. Within these jurisdictions, primary attention is given to requirements that must be met in each country for acquisition of rights to permit development of mineral resources. Coverage includes : First, identification of the controlling laws or statutes governing minerals acquisition and reference to the administrative authority; second, analysis of the laws governing mines and quarries and their products; and third, analysis of laws applicable to natural gas, petroleum, and related materials. Where pertinent, sections dealing with historical background or administration have been added. In countries where minerals are subject to control of states or provinces, those areas are considered separately from the central government.

Jan 1, 1972

[Determine how subsidence resulting from underground coal mining affects surface structures, and evaluate the usefulness s of the tiltmeter for monitoring foundation movement. Approach The Bureau of Mines is studying foundation response to mine subsidence in order to determine how subsidence-induced ground movements affect foundations in place directly above the mint. These investigations are essential if economic mitigation and repair techniques are to be made. In addition, commercially available tiltmeter are being evaluated (or use as a cost-effective monitoring technique. To study foundation response and to evaluate the tiltmeter system, full-scale model foundations were constructed, instrumented, and monitored for three years. Vertical and horizontal displacements, tilt magnitudes and directions, and observed damages were recorded. Displacements were compared with measured lilt to determine if the tiltmeter was tracking foundation response to subsidence, The Bureau developed a computer software package to aid in the reduction and analysis of the tiltmeter data.]

Jan 1, 1988